Out of Order

If you were lucky enough to see this production then you must have come out with sore ribs from the serious amount of laughing done throughout the evening!Farce fans will have no doubt thoroughly enjoyed this Ray Cooney play about Richard Willey a Member of Parliament trying to keep his secret affair with Jane Worthington out of the public eye. Unfortunately, the discovery of a dead body stuck in Richard’s hotel room window leads to a hilarious chain of events.    
You could see that the entire cast must have had a ball rehearsing and it certainly showed as Alan Lane is brilliant as the formidable Willey with the typical air of that British stiff upper lip in the face of adversity as is Beckie Jay as Secretary Jane Worthington.His Press Secretary, George Pigden, was played superbly by Adam Worton. His despairing looks were hilarious as he finds himself drawn deeper into his Willey’s web of deceit, forcing him to do things he’s never done before.

Some of the best lines in the show belong to the Scamming Irish waiter, expertly played by David Stone. He is always looking for a tip and will do whatever is necessary to earn one. Even as I’m writing this review, I find I’m chuckling to myself!!   

A special mention also must be made of the notorious sash window that almost becomes another character in the play and Alex Barzdo as “the body.” I found his physical ability to be hung, dragged and rolled around the set with ease was mind boggling!   

The cast of other weird and wonderful characters also includes: David Weller, the pompous Hotel Manager; Fiona Costly as Nurse Gladys; Liz Webster as Willey’s enthusiastic wife; the ever willing maid, Jill Simkin, who speaks little English; and of course Adam Woodward as the suspecting husband desperately trying to find evidence of Jane’s affair.

Much credit must go to the set designers for creating such a complementing set in which these actors could use so productively, and to ensure the starring sash window never failed to work at the right time.  

Credit also to Director Chris Waters who ensured the pace never dipped which all good farces need.

My thanks to the Front of House team for another very warm welcome, wonderful hospitality and a very entertaining evening.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.